15-YEAR EXPERIENCE OF TESTICULAR NEOPLASM IN A REGIONAL CENTER

Background: During a 15-year period from 1980 to 1995, 63 patients fro m the Geelong region of Victoria presented with germ cell neoplasm. Me thods: In this retrospective review performed by studying hospital rec ords, treating specialists' notes and by telephone interviews, 61 of 6 3 patients were identified. Results: A tumour incidence of four cases per 100 000 male population per year with an overall cancer-specific s urvival of 95% is demonstrated. Follow-up ranged from 18 months to 15 years. The incidence of seminoma was 30%; patients with seminoma prese nted at a later stage than those with non-seminoma. Conclusions: The p resent study demonstrates the increasing incidence of testicular tumou r in the Geelong region, and the excellent prognosis of this disease w ith management outside of the tertiary referral centre.